Light-signal



E. J. BLAKE.

LIGHT SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1920.

Risued Aug. 31, 1920. 1 4,940.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTYOR BY QR-uw 3% ATTORNEY E. J. BLAKE.

LIGHT SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26, 1920.

Reissued Aug. 31, 1920.

. INVENTOR QW KW ATTORNEY UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFricE.

ELI J. BLAKE, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HALL swrrcn & SIGNAL 00., A

com'orm'rmn'or MAINE.

.LIGH'r-sIGNAL.

It has been the practice heretofore to build railroad signals of two distinctive classes, one being of the type known as semaphore signals comprising a moving element adapted to give a position indication and the other consisting of a light signal by means of which indications are given by either changing the color or some other physical property of the beams of light emitted by the signal.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a light signal which will overcome the defects encountered in the types of signals now in use. One object being to provide a single light signalwhich is adapted to change its color or othercharacteristic indications with a minimum consumption of energy.

Another object is to provide a signal of extreme simplicity in operation and which has smalllight movable members which are practically free from mechanical wear.

A'further object is to provide alight signal which will employ only one source of light and one emitting surface or area. but which will nevertheless change the character of the rays of light emitted to give the necessary indications.

A further object is to provide a light signal in which it is possible to use a refiector thereby retaining a maximum utilization of the light emitted from the, source without the danger of reflected light from extraneous sources giving false indications.

Another object is to provide a signal which will have controlling contacts and which will be adapted to operate direct from a feeble source of power such as a track circuit and thereby obviate the use. of local sources of power and circuits. p

Other features and valuable objects of the invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying specification and from the appended claims.

deferring to the drawings in Figure l I show a front elevation of a preferred form Specification 'of Reissued Letters Patent. Reissued Aug, 31, 1920.

Original No. 1,279,638, dated September 24, 1918, Serial No. 178,720, filed July 5, 1917 Application for reissue filed May 26, 1920.

Serial No. 384,478.

of mechanism suitable for the operation of my invention. I

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical representation showing means for concentrating the light rays to a conjugate focal point by means of a suitablev lens.

Fig. 3 shows my light signal employing a parabolic reflector for the concentration of the light rays, and a suitable objective lens.

Fig. 4 shows an adaptation of my in- .vention employing reflectors entirely in its operation.

Fig. 5 is a cross section showing one form of construction of a complete signal.

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically a simple means for operating the signal. Fig. 7 shows a means for operating the signal inductively by alternating current. 4

Fig. 8 shows an operating mechanism for the. signal which may be operated by either direct or alternating current. Fig. 9 shows a front View of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a section-of a modified arrangement of my invention showing the same being operated directly by means of a standard three position track relay.

Fig. 11 is a section through A A in Fig.

10, showing the lightjfiltersand method of operating the same.

By reference to the drawings, the fundamental idea of my invention immediately becomes apparent, consisting broadly in arranging a concentrated light emitting surface in connection with suitable reflectors -o'r lenses, bringing the rays to a concentrated small and light filter or filters to be efficiently. operated at or near the focal point to control the" character of the rays emitted from the relatively large light emitting surface such as an objective lens.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 9 the operation of the device is as follows: I

An outer casing 1 is provided at :itsfront end with an objective lens '2 and 'at the rear end with a reflector 3 and 'a' light 4 so "dis"- posed with relation to the reflector 3 a large percentage of the raysemitted frompracticallyall the light reflected may be caused to pass through the conjugate focal point 5 and then diverge so that it willjust cover the objective lens 2 which may be of any suitable type and of such a focus as to either bring the rays into parallel relation or so change the angle of divergence to give the desired covering power for any track conditions. The lamp 4 may be operated with energy through wires 6 from any suit-.

Adjacent the focal point 5 a able source. screen 7 is arranged with an aperture 8 adapted to coincide with the focal point 5, this aperture being made as small as possible without interfering with the reflected rays which pass from the reflector through the focal point. The object of this screen is to stop passage of direct rays from the light 4 to the objective lens 2 without passing through the filters.

In the 3 position signal an operating mechanism 9 is provided which is adapted to assume two distinctive energized positions and a neutral denergized danger position. The device shown in Figs. 5 and 9 for this purpose comprises an operating mechanism of a three position direct current motor relay. Permanent magnets 10 and 11 are arranged with their respective like poles adjoining iron pole pieces 12 and 13 thereby creating a field of flux between the poles Band 13, in which an armature 14 is adapted to rotate. Armature 14 is mounted upon a spindle 15 and providedwith a simple winding 16 as shown. Flexible connections 17 are provided to convey. the current from a controlling source through wires 18 to the winding 16. The

shaft 15 has rigidly attached to it a filter carrying arm 19, carrying respectively red, green and yellow filters as shown at 20, 21 and 22 and also a downwardly extended arm 23, provided with a counter balance weight 24 adapted to balance the weight of the filters 20, 21 and 22. Loosely carried on the shaft 15, are two counterweights 25 and '26, which rest on insulated metal plates 27 and 28 which act as stops for the same.

The armature 14 is provided with pins 29 and 30 adapted to engage the counterweights 25 and 26. The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

Current may be continuously applied at 6 to maintain light 4' burning as this light need never be extinguished. When no cur rent is applied at 1 8, therebyleaving the armature 14 denergized, the counterweights 25 and 26 rest against plates 27 and 28 respectively and also against pins 29 and 30,,

thereby holding the armature 14 inca central position, and arm 19 in a perpendicular position, in which condition the red filter 20 will coincide withthe aperture 8 at the focal point 5. It will'be seenthat the rays from the light 4 passing through the conjugate focal point 5. will have to pass through the red filter 20 which will filter the rays and i only allow the red portion of the rays to' reach the object lens 2, thereby giving a red signal indication. Upon energy being applied at 18 in a certain direction, the armature 14 will be energized and caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. The pin will engage the weight 26 and raise the same against gravity, causing the arm 19 to move toward the. left thereby removing the red filterv 20 and placing the yellow filter 22 opposite lens 2 to give a yellow light signal indication. Upon the energy being discontinued at 18 the color of the rays will be.again changed to red and upon energy being applied at 18 in a reverse direction the color of the indication will be changed as heretofore described to green. The counterweights 25 and 26 as shown may be caused to break circuits between their respective contact plates. 27 and 28 and thereby control any other circuits desirable.

By providing the mechanism with contacts in this manner it willbe seen that this signal may be installed in place of the relays light and 'in which the filters are operated by means of a connecting rod 31. The mechanism disclosed in this drawing comprises what is known as a three position relay and the operating mechanism is identical to that shown in Fig. 9. The shaft 15 is provided with a crank pin32 which will impart either an upward or downwardmovement to the connecting link 33 in accordance with the direction of rotation of the armature 14 from its neutral central positionpperating arm 34 and connection rod 31 accordingly. Arm 34 is connected to the plate 35 which is pivoted at points 36: On the opposite side of this plate, mounted on insulated studs 37 contact fingers 38 are carried which cotiperate with the front contacts 39 and back contacts 40. Connecting rod 31 connects arm 34 to the filter changing member 42. The mechanism as shown in the drawing is in the neutral or denergized position.

- The red filter 41 being opposite the aperture and closed according to the direction of cur- I rent flowing in thearmature and the 'connecting rod 31 will cause thefilter carrying members 42 to oscillate about pivot 43 and the under side of the red'filter carried by either place the green filter 44 or yellow arm 73 are two projections 74 and 7 5. When filter 45 opposite the aperture 8 as described the Z type mechanism 76 is operated to roher "ofore. tate spindle in a counter clockwise direc- 'lne mechanism can be carried in a suittion it will raise arm 72, thereby elevating 7o able case 46 which may be provided with a the green filter into the conjugate focal door 47 and an inspection glass 48 thereby point. This filter will engage with the proallowing the maintainer to inspect the conjection 74 and push the red filter carried on tacts of the mechanism without interfering arm 73 out of the focal point. When the with the operation of the signal. The remechanism is deenergized both filters are fiector 3 and light 4 may also be mounted in allowed to fall, leaving the red filter in the a suitable cover 49 which will swing open position to give a red indication as before. on a pivot 50 and may be latched closed by Upon energization of the Z mechanism 77 means of a hasp 51; this enabling easy acthe yellow filter will replace the red filter cess to the reflector 3 for cleaning and to in llke manner by engaging with projecthe light 4 for replacements should the same tion 7 5. burn out. At 52 a suitable lead is provided Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show diagrammatically for carrying all the connecting. wires possible combinations utilizing my inventhrough for the operation of the signal. In tion. other details this form of the signal is idenn Fig. 2 I focus the source of light tical to that shown in Fig. 5. through a conjugate focal point 5 in whirh Fig. 6 shows how the filters 20 and 21 may point the filter 80 is operated by means of a be operated by means of a simple electrosuitable lens 81; the light diverging to cover magnet 53. The-axis of the conjugate focal the objective lens 2 and to be converted into point is shown at 54-and it will be seen that uitable indication giving rays. upon energization or deenergization of the n F 1g. 3 I show diagrammatically the magnet 53 it will either attract or release its embodiment whic I h described in armature 55 thereby moving the red or nection with Figs. 5 and 10. In Fig. 4 I green filter int th onj at f al int, have shown the reflector 3 placed below the and alsoopening and closing contacts 56 signal indication aperture. The rays in this 96 and 57 for the control of other circuits." se re. br ught to a conjugate focal point Fig. 7 shows diagrammatically a method upon a small mirror 82, the filter 20 being whereby the signal may. be controlled by arranged to operate as nearly as possible at means of alternating'current. An aluminum the conjugate focal point to'control the color disk- 8 is acted upon by a two phase alter- 0f the rays. The rays are reflected by means nating current magnet 59 to auseth disk of the mirror 82 onto a second concave re- 58 to rotate either clockwise or counter clockfl r 83 Whi h reflects the rays forward wise according to the relative direction of in a parallel. beam to give the signal indi-' the energy in the respective phases ina io 1 manner well known in the art. The disk 58 It will be understood that in the Sign l a 1 5 is provided with two pins 60 and 61 and roabove described any form of illuminating tates upon a spindle 62. Loosely mounted l r u aS'an oil light, gas light, etc., may on the spindle 62 are counterweights 63'an'd e and hat the term conjugate focal 64 so arranged that normally they will rest point is used to indicate an approximate upon metallic stops 65 and 66 and al in point as it iswell known in the art thatan I10 60 and 61, thereby retaining the disk 58 in a s lut polnt cannot be obtained. the central position with the red filter20 t will further be understood that the filat the wcal point. It will be seen that if ters may be operated in-any desirablemanner the disk 58 has been caused to rotate in either either manually, p a y, mechanicone direction or the other it will either raise allyor by any other means; J counterweights 63 or 64 against gravity ,do not wlsh to be restricted to the particuntil it engages with its respective stop in ular embodiments of the invention as dis- ,67 or 68 thereby giving a green or yel ow closed butwish to cover. the fundamental \light indication. When either counter principle of the invention, which may be weights 63 or 64 rise they will break circuit constructed in a variety of different manners with their metallic stops 65-or 66 thereby o a c h the same p p e-- controlling other electrical circuits. What claim is:

In Fig. 8 I have shown a method of-op- 1. In alight signal, a source of light, crating my signal which comprises a, combimeans. for concentrating a large percentage to nation of. two Z type mechanisms. The of the rays emitted by said source to a conmechanisms are placed side by side with j'ugate focal point in advance of the original their spindles 69 and 70 in alinement. 'Rigsource, color filters adjacent said focal point idly attached to the spindles are filter carryto modify thecharacter of, the rays passing ing arms 71 and 7 2 and loosely mounted bethrough the focal point, operating means for 66 tween these is a filter carrying arm 73; On selectlvely moving said color filters .into the path of IIIQEIIIS path of'the rays, and means interposed in the path of the rays diverging from said focal point to change the path of the modified rays.

2. Ina light signal, a source of light,

means for concentrating a large percentagepinging upon the last said means.

3. In a light signal, a source of light,

means for concentrating a large percentage of the rays emitted bv said source to a conj ugate focal point in advance of the original source, color filtersadj acent said focal point to modify the characterof the rays passing through the focal point, contacts, operating means for selectively moving said color filters into the path of the rays, and for operating said contacts, and means interposed in the the rays diverging from said focal point to change the path of the modified rays.

4. In a light signal, a source of light, means for concentrating a large percentage of the rays emitted by said source to a conjugate focal point in advance of, the original source, color filters adjacent said focal point to modify the character of the rays passing through the focal point, contacts, operating for selectively moving said color filters into the path of the rays, and for operating said contacts, means interposed in the path of the rays diverging from said focal point to change the path of the modified rays, and a screen adapted to prevent direct rays from the originalsource of light from impinging upon the last-said means.

5. Ina light signal, a'mechanism case a concentrated source of light contained in said case, a reflector adapted to bring a large percentage of the. rays emitted from said source to a conjugate focal point in advance of the original source, an opaque screen having an aperture'for the passage of rays at the conjugate focal point, filters adjacent said focal point to modify the character of rays passing through the focal point, operatingmechanism in said case to selectively interpose said filters into the path of the rays, and a lens interposed in thepath of the. rays diverging from said focal point to change the modified rays into nearly parallel rays.

'6. In a light signal, a mechanism case, a concentrated source of light contained in said case, a reflector adapted tobring a large percentage of the source to a conjugate focal point 1n advance the conjugate focal point, filters adjacent the rays divergingfrom said focal verge at a second point ofconcentration to said rays adjacent the second point of conof dispersion of the modified rays.

" than means for causing-a large permodify the characteristics of the rays adone color filter or another into position at rality of small and light weight color filis biased to move'to said focal point by rays emitted from said of the original source, an opaque screen having an aperture for the passage of rays at said focal point to modify the character of rays passing through the focal point, contacts, operating mechanism in said case to selectively interpose said filters into the path of the rays, and adapted to operate said contacts, and a lens interposed in the path of the rays, diverging from said focal point to change the modified rays into nearly parallel rays.

.7. In a light signal, a concentrated source of light, means to cause a large-percentage of rays emitted from said source to conincrease' the relative intensity of the light within-a certain angle of dispersion, means to selectively modify the characteristics of centrationand means to change the angle 8. In. alight signal, a concentrated source of light emitting rays at a greater angle centage of the rays emitted to pass through a second point of concentration and to disperse at a relatively smaller angle, means to j acent the second point of concentration, and means to intercept the modified rays to give a larger light emitting surface than at the. second point of concentration.

9. In combination, a source of light, means for condensing light rays emitted from said light at a focal point, color filters adjacent said focal point, one of which is biased to move to said focal point by gravity, and energg consuming means for moving a second lter to said focal point and maintaining it at said focal point so long as energy is being consumed.

10. In combination, a source if light,- means forv condensing rays of light from said source at a focal point, a plurality ofcolor filters, means for selectively moving said focal point so that the rays of light at that point may pass through it, and means for changing the direction of the light rays after they have passed through the color filter. I

11. In combination, a single source of light and means for condensing rays of light from said source at a focal point, a pluters adjacent said focal point one of which gravity, and through which the focalized rays pass, means requiring a small consumption of energy for, selectively moving one color filter or another into position at the focal point so that the rays of light at that point-may pass throughit, and means for changing the direction of the light rays after they have passed through the color filter.

12. In combination, a source of light, means for condensing light rays emitted from said light at a focal point, color filters adjacent said focal point, one of which is biased to move to said focal point by gravity, contacts, and energy consuming means for operating said contacts and for moving a second filter to said focal point and maintaining it at said focal point so long as energy is being consumed. I

13. In combination, a source of light,

I means for condensing rays of light from 14. In combination, a smgle source of light, means for condensing rays of light from said source at a focal point, a plura ty of small and light weight color filters adjacent said focal point one of which is biased to move to said focal point by gravity, and through which the focalized rays pass, contacts, means requiring a small consumption of energy for selectively operating said contacts and moving one color filter or another into position at the focal point so that the rays of light at that point may pass through it, and means for changing the direction of the light rays after they have passed through the color filter.

15., In combination, a source of light, means for condensing light rays from said source at a focal point, color filters adjacent said focal point, means for selectively moving one filter or another into position at ELI J. BLAKE.

said focal point so that the rays of light v 

